Former Barcelona president, Joan Gaspart, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Nico Williams’ decision to reject a move to the Catalan giants, claiming the club may have dodged a bullet.
Responding to comments made by Inaki Williams, who defended his younger brother’s choice to remain with Athletic Bilbao, Gaspart downplayed the loss and instead praised Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.
“First of all, for me, Marcus Rashford is better than Nico. From here on, I don’t care what Inaki might say,” Gaspart told El 10 del Barca.
Williams recently signed a long-term deal with Athletic Club, opting to stay in Bilbao despite reported interest from Barça.
Gaspart believes the player and his camp used the situation to secure a better deal, which doesn’t bother him.
“The player has used us in a good way – he’s gotten a good contract, and I’m happy for him. I don’t understand Athletic’s anger.
“I’ve signed many players from Bilbao, and always got along with their president. This is in the past. We have to focus on the season and trust the squad and the exceptional coach we have.”
Gaspart, who led Barcelona from 2000 to 2003, is known for his candid remarks, and his latest comments reflect confidence in the current project at Camp Nou despite missing out on the highly-rated winger.
